DTownDave22

I am interested in a pair of Pearl Izumi Pro Softshell Lobster Gloves (P.I. lobsters). Let me give you some quick background on what my situation is.

Where I'm at now

I picked up a pair of bar mitts (Moose Mitts by Trails-Edge) a couple of years ago to extend the conditions I could ride in. The only problem is that (seemingly) due to a breathing problem, I have reduced circulation in my extremities. This makes my hand temperature below normal and my hands susceptible to feeling cold. I'm in Metro Detroit and at this point at least, I'd be looking to riding in wind chills down to the low 20s (and probably a bit lower when factoring in added chill from riding at speeds of 10-20MPH)

For example: I was riding with a considerable tailwind (at least 10-15MPH) in approximately low to mid-20s temperatures this winter which was adding to my speed and, consequently, the windchill and my hands were just freezing with the 5-finger gloves with the bar mitts (again I have poor circulation so yes probably most people's hands would be a little cold but continuing that way and my hands would be absolutely frostbitten). I figure that instead of going with an upgrade of 5-finger gloves (currently use decent thinsulate 5-fingered gloves), I'll just invest in (and take very good care of) a high quality pair of lobster gloves.

I am interested in using my bicycle to commute places (and for recreational rides) and of course lock up. Furthermore, I am also interested in a liner to wear underneath the P.I. lobsters. This is because I notice if my hands are exposed (take my 5-finger gloves off to better handle and zip up and so on) and/or it takes me longer than a couple of minutes to lock up, my hands start getting real cold and if I'm unlocking my bicycle and getting ready to ride, it's not a good to have cold hands. Therefore, for warmth of my hands when off of the bike, but of course when riding, I would prefer a pair of lobster gloves that I can have a liner glove underneath on as well; the Pearl Izumi Pro Softshell Lobster Gloves do not have a removable liner. I know that these gloves will more likely than not, be too big to wear without liners if I go a size or two up to wear them with liners.

No stores nearby me seem to carry these. There are some farther out, but I am not inclined to travel 40-80 miles roundtrip for a pair of gloves--at least not at this point. I am considering ordering them online (Amazon or another store) but first getting some input from different parties, such as Pearl Izumi and people that have experience using them this way.

Now that I've given you a little bit of an idea where I'm coming from, my straight-forward questions are: Would someone tell me a few things if you wear the Pearl Izumi Lobster Pro Softshell Goves with a liner:

1.) Hand Circumference: What is the circumference of your hand (at its widest point)? P.I. recommends you measure closer to your fingers while other companies show a guide of measuring closer to where your thumb meets your hand. For the purpose of clarity, please share with me where you are measuring the circumference your hand.

2.) Sizing & fit: What size are the P.I. Lobsters you wear (There is XS-XXL?) and how do they fit and feel?

3.) Liner or underneath glove (if it's a bit thicker than a liner): About what thickness are the gloves you wear underneath?

4.) Glove performance: How do the gloves effect actions you perform with your hands? I've never ridden with such gloves and may take for granted the simple structure of my hands. Do having gloves thicker split-finger gloves make it harder to grab a water bottle (not as big of a deal in below 40F windchills). What about shifting or braking?

5.) Wind chills: If you care to, you can share what wind chills you ride in, but it's no big deal.

If I don't feel comfortable ordering gloves online, I'll just hold off and try to find them in a store nearby. I'm Downriver Metro Detroit, not in Oakland County or near Ann Arbor, so stores aren't as well stocked as other stores (to be fair, they are on the more expensive side, at $75 retail).

Thanks,

Dave

RCS1300

9" at widest point
I use XXL, they fit and feel great and I can easily shift and brake on both road and mountain bikes.
I use a polypropylene liner or wool liner - you can pick them up at performance bike or through amazon.
Gloves work for me down to 25 degrees F with the liner regardless of windchills
If you want to cycle in lower temps go with the IceBike Mitten from EmpireCanvasWorks

skijor

Can't comment on that exact PI offering. However, I wore regular lobsters for over ten years. Their size was definitely on the small side. I have average-small hands yet needed the XL. They weren't what I'd wear standing around like at a football game. I used them for biking and xc skiing. They were usually overkill for skiing but I'd rather have sweaty hands than cold ones. And my fingers/toes get cold easily. Even winter biking doesn't generate as much body heat as with skiing, but they were warm enough for every outdoor activity I'd even done...except as noted. I no longer have those. They wore out several years ago and I've found more economical options. PI's prices got stupid expensive. My hand is 8" near the fingers. I never used a liner. They worked good for shifting STIs.

FWIW, I now use Toko's version of lobsters (similar to these...less than half the price of PI lobsters!). They aren't as wind resistant as the PI's. I got them more for skiing. But they work well enough for biking down to the 30's.

chipg5

My hand circumference at knuckles is 8-1/2 inches, I have a size L and they fit great. I wear only the PI lobster gloves, nothing else on my hands. In terms of performance, they are bulkier so obviously not able to use fingers as well, but shifting, brakes, water bottle, etc are all fine. A bit harder to grab water bottle but you get used to it.

In terms of temps, I've ridden centuries wearing these in temps ranging from 8 degrees to lower 20s and haven't gotten cold hands, it's pretty amazing, and I find wind doesn't have an effect -- a couple weeks ago I rode 50 miles in 22 degree weather, winds 10-15mph and snow and they felt nice and toasty the whole time. And my hands get cold easily.

As for the liner issue, what I'd do is carry in my pockets some liner gloves, and swap into them when I take off the lobster gloves when you want to lock up bike etc. You def'ly don't want the lobster gloves to be too tight.

Bottom line, highly recommend PI lobsters.